Morks x XO: the pop-up that will pop-off

Posted on 19 August, 2019

For two nights only, Canberra icons Morks and XO will team up for a very special (and delicious) pop up. 

As we all know, Canberra can cop a bit of flak for being ‘too small’.

But sometimes, you feel like it’s just the right size. Like when you realise that two of your favourite restaurants are actually mates, and regularly host each other for staff meals.

Kingston Foreshore’s Morks and Narrabundah’s XO might be two of Canberra’s coolest modern Asian restaurants, but there’s no competition here.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite and across 16 and 17 September, Canberra foodies will get to experience the best of both venues under one roof.

That’s right, by their powers combined, XO and Morks will team up for two nights only, for a very special Morks x XO pop-up.

“Morks and XO are old friends and we have been informally collaborating on an annual ‘staffies’ dinner that we alternate; each hosting the other’s team for an end of service meal,” explains XO’s Greg Lally.

“We have been playing with the idea of bringing the event public for a while; keeping the same energy and putting the focus on the very best food and wine, in a laid back atmosphere.”

Morks. Credit: facebook.com/morksrestaurant

As Morks’ Benn Ratanakosol explains, the concept of each restaurant hosting the other will stay the same, but this time, the Canberra community is invited to join.

“We’ll be doing one night at each restaurant,” says Benn. “On Monday 16 September, Chef Mork and I will join the team at XO and on Tuesday 17 September Chef AK and Kent of XO will come to Morks.”

“Both nights will offer the same collaborative food and drink menu and we’ll be doing a 6 pm and an 8.30 pm sitting.”

The restaurants have known each other for over five years, which Greg jokes is “35 in hospo years”, and are looking forward to taking their collaboration public for the first time.

“We’ve been spending a lot of time together in the kitchen and bar coming up with an original, creative, and delicious menu,” says Benn.

Each night will be an $88 per person set menu with the drinks “a fun mix of wines by the glass and bottle, and collaborative cocktails grounded by Asian flavours.”

Greg adds that “the event will be a full collaboration from food to beverage—even a collaborative mini wine, cocktail list and music playlist.”

XO. Credit: Ashley St George.

As for what exactly that collaborative menu might contain, their lips are sealed, however, I did manage to find out what each team covets from the other’s menu.

For the XO team, it’s Morks’ Angel prawns, Egg in hay v1.0 and “the eggplant salad”, which Greg says is an “an off the menu Morks special”.

As for Morks, Benn says his team loves “XO’s Asian Bolognese (often copied, never replicated) and the bahn mi.”

For both teams, this collaboration represents a chance to show Canberra a new side of their respective venues and teams, as well as make some new magic in the kitchen.

“Staying true to both our ethos, we are playing with dishes that we loved as children,” says Greg. “Think, our interpretation of some street classics (such as hawker street wings and curries) that are highlights across (and between) Thailand and Malaysia.”

“Morks x XO is one pop up that’s sure to pop off.”

the essentials 

What: Morks x XO pop up
When: 16 and 17 September with sittings at 6 pm and 8.30 pm each night
Where: XO, 16 Iluka St, Narrabundah (16 September), Morks, 18/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston (17 September)
Cost: $88 for a set menu
Bookings: Book for 16 September (XO) here and book for 17 September (Morks) here

Feature image: facebook.com/pg/xonarrabundah